Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Nautical, liable to be overset: same as crank, 1.
  • In a shaky or loose condition; rickety.
  • Sickly; ailing.
  • noun A pitman.
  • Merry; cheerful: same as crank.
  • Having cranks or turns; checkered.
  • Full of cranks; full of whims and crotchets; having the characteristics of a crank.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Full of spirit; crank.
  • adjective colloq. Addicted to crotchets and whims; unreasonable in opinions; crotchety.
  • adjective Unsteady; easy to upset; crank.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective obsolete Weak, unwell.
  • adjective of a machine, etc. Not in good working condition; shaky.
  • adjective Grouchy, irritable; easily upset.
  • adjective Not in perfect mental working order; eccentric, peculiar.
  • adjective archaic Full of spirit; spirited.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective easily irritated or annoyed
  • adjective (used of boats) inclined to heel over easily under sail

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From crank +‎ -y.

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Examples

  • Half the reason we are so goddamn cranky is that we are constantly seeing profoundly talented people passed up for books that are "more commercial" (read: "OMG the hot new dude at school IS ACTUALLY A SUPERNATURAL ENTITY WHO WANTS TO DO IT WITH ME!!!!"); it makes us sad, but the industry right now is not a pretty picture, dear ones.

    Archive 2010-04-01 2010

  • Half the reason we are so goddamn cranky is that we are constantly seeing profoundly talented people passed up for books that are "more commercial" (read: "OMG the hot new dude at school IS ACTUALLY A SUPERNATURAL ENTITY WHO WANTS TO DO IT WITH ME!!!!"); it makes us sad, but the industry right now is not a pretty picture, dear ones.

    The Cold and Ugly Light of Truth: Special MFA Edition 2010

  • Most of her life, she lived in cranky desperation.

    i hope you dance 2007

  • Luna Lovegood, also, is too ready to believe in cranky theories.

    Harry Potter science Maxine 2007

  • Luna Lovegood, also, is too ready to believe in cranky theories.

    July 2007 Maxine 2007

  • Most of her life, she lived in cranky desperation.

    December 2007 2007

  • Luna Lovegood, also, is too ready to believe in cranky theories.

    Harry Potter science Maxine 2007

  • Since being cranky is pretty much the opposite of having a good time, my Powerbook has been hiding out in my backpack for the last few days, while I've been out enjoying that real life I have read so much about on its screen.

    In Exile 2006

  • Since being cranky is pretty much the opposite of having a good time, my Powerbook has been hiding out in my backpack for the last few days, while I've been out enjoying that real life I have read so much about on its screen.

    In Exile 2006

  • I am pretty sure I have redefined the word cranky in their minds.

    EXTRALIFE – By Scott Johnson - It’s not looking good… 2008

  • One type of cantastoria, called a cranky, is a scroll that unfurls with a crank.

    Where Some See Trash, She Sees Treasure By 2019

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